Prosthesis for child amputees; the program at University of California at Los Angeles.
The Child Amputee Program has operated jointly for the past three years at the University of California at Los Angeles under the Department of Engineering and the School of Medicine. The following seven points have been evolved after three years of operation:1. Team effort for involved rehabilitation problems seems to be more effective than any other approach.2. Psychological effect on both the patient and family is much deeper than was realized.3. The optimum age for first fitting of a prosthesis is much earlier than had been generally believed-under one year, as opposed to age five or later.4. Training adequate for efficient and easy use of the prosthesis is absolutely essential and must be followed with periodic training in new skills.5. Comfort and function must be provided or a prosthesis will not be used.6. Scaled-down adult components are helpful, but do not supply all the needs of growing children. Special types of tools are needed for the many varied activities of childhood.7. At the outset of the program, disability was calculated in terms of the site of amputation. Now it is realized that the true determination of disability is above the ears.